SIR POIROT:
Knighthoods for TV tec Suchet & athletics’ Bren Damehood is icing on cake for Bake Off’s Mary
DAVID Suchet, famous for playing Agatha Christie’s Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, today becomes a Sir.
The 74- year- old actor receives a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to drama and charity after a distinguished 50-year career on stage and screen.
He portrayed Sigmund Freud in the BBC mini-series Freud in 1984 before first appearing as Poirot on ITV in 1989 – a role he reprised in more than 70 episodes until 2013.
Most recently he has appeared in the BBC dramas Press and Doctor Who and in the adaptation of the Philip Pullman novels His Dark Materials.
His knighthood comes nine years after he received a CBE for services to drama.
TV presenter and environmental campaigner Sir David Attenborough, 94, is given a new honour.
Sir David, who was knighted in 1985, is appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael And St George for services to television and conservation.
TV baking queen Mary Berry, 85, whose recipes have inspired millions during lockdown, spoke of her delight in becoming a Dame. The Great British Bake Off star said: “For most of my life I
Rapper Dizzee wins musical honour
have been lucky enough to follow my passion to teach cookery through books and the media. I just wish my parents and brothers were here to share my joy, as my only achievement at school was just one O-level – in cookery, of course.
“However, I am sure they are looking down and smiling. I will celebrate with my husband and family very soon.”
Actress Maureen Lipman, best known for starring in British Telecom adverts in the 1980s, also becomes a Dame for services to charity, entertainment and the arts. The Hull-born Corrie star, 74, whose Jewish family fled persecution in Russia, said: “I am proud to be honoured by the Queen and country that I love, for doing the work that I love.”
There are CBEs for Professor Brian Cox, 52, veteran morning TV host Lorraine Kelly, 60, and Life actor Adrian Lester, 52.
Singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading is also made a Commander of the British Empire – but played down criticism about the honours’ “elitist” association with empire.
Joan, 69, said: “I think it is just a country acknowledging its citizens of things that they have done that they really recognise as being good things. You just have to accept it for that.”
Screenwriter Sally Wainwright, 57 – who wrote BBC dramas Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack and Last Tango in Halifax – receives an OBE. Huddersfieldborn Sally said: “It’s not the kind of thing that people in my family would ever normally expect to receive.”
Fellow TV writer Phil Redmond, 71, who created Brookside, Hollyoaks and Grange Hill, is knighted for services to broadcasting and arts in the regions. He has been responsible for
Running legend Brendan
Sir Tommy Steele: ‘It’s a blinkin’ fairytale’
some of Britain’s grittiest shows. Fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, 74, whose cufflinks were favourites of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, becomes a Companion of Honour.
Author Susan Hill was “chuffed to have caught up” with pal Dame Judi Dench after being made a Dame for services to literature. The novelist, 78, best known for The Woman In Black, said: “Lovely for me and for books and readers and writing and writers.” Rapper Dizzee Rascal, real name Dylan Mills, 36, receives an MBE for services to music, while Electric Light Orchestra singer Jeff Lynne, 72, was “extremely humbled” to get an OBE.
Rapper Lady Leshurr was awarded the British Empire Medal. The songwriter, 30, full name Melesha O’Garro, released a coronavirus-related song reminding people to wash their hands.
She said: “It just goes to show when you create opportunities for yourself in a situation like this, a lot can come off the back of it when you’re expressing through art or giving back to people. I’m over the moon.”
Artist Frank Bowling was “extremely proud” to become a knight aged 86. Recognised for services to art, he said: “I’ve set out on a quest to explore the possibilities of paint. I find myself making something new every time.” Tommy Steele, 83 – often regarded as Britain’s first rock ’n’ roll star – has said he “has not come down to earth” after receiving a knighthood for services to entertainment and charity.
He said: “I went into Half A Sixpence, which was a musical, and next thing I know I am on Broadway, then I am in Hollywood. It sounds like a blinking fairy story and I suppose it is.” Interior designer and Dragons’ Den judge Kelly Hoppen is awarded a CBE, while Wales and British Lions rugby ace Gareth Thomas gets a CBE. The Celebrity Big Brother star, 46, has blazed a trail for gay sportsmen and spoken movingly of living with HIV.
Great North Run pioneer and former long-distance runner Brendan Foster, 72, receives a knighthood for services to sport and culture.
The athlete – presented with his first medal by the Queen at the 1970 Commonwealth Games – said: “I’ve been lucky enough to spend my whole life doing something that I’ve loved.”
Former England fast bowler Darren Gough, 50, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2005, becomes an MBE.